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One of the Nuggets’ top priorities will be retaining restricted free agent Peyton Watson, and if they do, at least one current starter is almost guaranteed to be sacrificed in a corresponding cost-cutting move. Johnson has been considered the most likely candidate to be traded for months, according to sources, but Gordon and Braun are in the same salary range as him. Denver’s first-round flame-out was disastrous enough that anyone other than Jokic could feasibly be shipped off.
Christian Braun will be entering the first season of a five-year, $125 million deal that, if Denver is honest, likely carries some buyer’s remorse. Braun hasn’t been the same since a November sprain to his left ankle, and right now, it’s not hard to imagine the Nuggets’ brass kicking themselves for offering an extension to Braun, and not Watson, last summer.
Vinny Benedetto: Aaron Gordon is questionable for Game 6 with left calf tightness. Peyton Watson remains out. Both players worked out after today's walkthrough.
Denver, of course, will have the right to match any offer sheet that comes Watson's way. League sources have already identified the Lakers, Bulls and Nets as potential suitors that are likely to have the requisite spending power to present an offer sheet that causes angst in the Rocky Mountains. The Stein Line has learned, in fact, that both the Lakers and Bulls registered trade interest in Watson leading up to the in-season deadline for deals on Feb. 5, although it must be noted that Chicago's front office will soon have a new lead voice after the recent ouster of former Nuggets executive Artūras Karnišovas.
In my conversations with various teams during the season, I've heard raves for the strides Watson has made as a ballhandler and shot-creator and how he operates in isolation on the perimeter with tangible comfort and poise. Watson himself credits that improvement to a foundation he built during 19 games' worth of valuable reps with Denver's Grand Rapids Gold affiliate in the G League when he was as a rookie. Few players with first-round pedigree would relish such an assignment. Watson?
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Only now he is forced to wait. First for clearance to return to the Nuggets' lineup … assuming they can complete the daunting comeback from 3-1 down to the rival Wolves. And then for restricted free agency to play out come June 30. "It's in the organization’s hands," Watson told me. "I truly feel as though they value me here, but obviously come time to re-sign, everything will come to light." It's quite clear that Watson hopes to remain in Denver and get a chance — now or later — to help the Nuggets hang that second banner.
Anthony Slater: Pretty clear how badly the Nuggets miss Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson in this Minnesota matchup. Here is David Adelman on the status of his wings moving forward. Expects more information on status of both tomorrow in regard to Game 4.
Pretty clear how badly the Nuggets miss Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson in this Minnesota matchup.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 24, 2026
Here is David Adelman on the status of his wings moving forward. Expects more information on status of both tomorrow in regard to Game 4. pic.twitter.com/STeQPEmCxk
Anthony Slater: Aaron Gordon officially out tonight for Game 3. Calf tightness popped up after Game 2. Didn’t improve enough last 48 hours. Nuggets without Gordon and Peyton Watson in pivotal road game vs Wolves. David Adelman: “It’s a downer.”
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Anthony Slater: Peyton Watson worked to the side at Nuggets practice today. David Adelman said team still hopes to have him back during this Minnesota series but he’s out for Game 3. Aaron Gordon probable with some calf tightness.
Jake Shapiro: DA says the hope is both Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones will play Game 1 but neither is cleared yet. Both are participating in non contact practice.
Brendan Vogt: Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones both practiced, but only in the non contact portions. Neither player is cleared for Game 1 yet. David Adelman still hopes that’s a possibility.
